2001
On January 9, Governor Engler vetoed the three bills, SB 645, HB 4828, SB 784, that prohibit employers from providing health care coverage for abortion except to avert the death of mother without purchasing as separate rider.
In March, the Center for Reproductive Law and Policy filed a lawsuit blocking implementation of the new 24 hour law requirements, PA 345 of 2000. Judge John O’Meara, U.S. District Court, issued a preliminary injunction on March 21, 2001. On April 19, a partial settlement in the case was reached. However, the law cannot take effect until 60 days after the state makes some changes in the state’s web site and to date that has not happened. Therefore, the law is not in effect.
On April 25, Judge Arthur Tarnow, U.S. District Court issued a permanent injunction on Michigan’s second so-called Partial Birth Abortion law, PA 197 of 1999, based on the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Stenberg v. Carhart (2000) that such bans were unconstitutional. The state is not appealing the case.
On June 7, the new rules implementing new clinic regulations for abortion providers went into effect following distribution and public hearings.
In June 2001, U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington issued a landmark decision in Erickson v. Bartell Drug Co. that held that excluding contraceptives from a plan that provides drug coverage was illegal.
In July, House and Senate members introduced bills to require insurance policies that provide prescription drug coverage to include contraceptives. (HB 5011 & 5012; and SB 580 & 582) PPAM supported this legislation.
In July, budget bills were passed. The budget for the Michigan Department of Community Health maintained the same level of state funding for family planning, $6,346,100, and increased federal funding by $293,000 for a total of $8,393,000. There is still a gag rule on state funds. In the budget for Community Colleges language was continued prohibiting employee coverage for abortions. Language was also continued to encourage contraceptive coverage. The budget for the judiciary continued the language that requires the state to compile data on how often the judicial bypass is requested and approved for minors to obtain abortions.
In October, HB 5073, a bill to establish a pro-choice license plate and a pro-choice fund for Planned Parenthood was introduced and assigned to the House Transportation Committee. PPAM supported this legislation.
On December 4, the House passed HB 4759, a bill to amend the Michigan Vehicle Code to create a “Choose Life” fund. The bill is tie-barred to SB 466 that creates a “Choose Life” license plate. PPAM opposed this legislation.
On December 13, the House passed HB 4564 to establish programs to keep pregnant and parenting students in college. For certain medical services, including family planning, the client is to be referred to the health services on campus. PPAM supported the concept.
On December 13, the House passed HB 4655, a bill to defund Planned Parenthood by eliminating Planned Parenthood from the state’s family planning program. Agencies that do any public advocacy, counseling or provision of abortion services would receive a lower priority in funding.
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
* Italics indicate federal actions which affect Michigan law
NOTE: Green text indicate the effective date of Michigan Public Acts
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